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Bilic said in his pre-match press conference: "He's [Antonio] a player we want to keep. He has improved and is a real player for the future. Let's give him a chance to show that he is one of our most important players.

"He was good for us last season and has been again this season. He is at a good age as well and a lot of clubs would like to have him. We are in a position to offer a new deal and he deserves it. Negotiations have just started, I will leave that to the chairman. I hope it gets done."

It would come as a blow to Conte's plans if the player did stay at West Ham, as he eyed Antonio as a potential competitor to Victor Moses at right wing-back.